The Story of Annabelle & Alison

by Lydia Rose

  Annabelle smiled and leaned over and kissed Alison’s mouth. “I love you too, Al. Forever.”

  Annabelle put Alison’s clean nightgown on her and they got her back upstairs.

  “Thank you both again. I feel so much better now.”

  As Alison came closer and closer to her due date, the men and Annabelle worried more and more. They worried for the babies, they worried about losing Alison, and they worried about everything.

  It was Annabelle’s day to come back to the house. She had just finished taking a shower when she heard Alison call her name. Annabelle took the stairs two at a time and rushed into the bedroom.

  “It’s time, honey.”

  Annabelle looked down at the wet bed and almost fainted.

  “Annabelle, help me get dressed,” She said raising her voice.

  Hearing her formal name, snapped Annabelle back to reality. She helped Alison dress and then went out the back door and rang the bell that had been set up for emergencies. She watched as the men looked up and made a mad dash for the house. Annabelle ran back inside and ran up the stairs.

  “How are you feeling?” Annabelle asked worried.

  “I’m fine.” She patted Annabelle’s hand. “We’ve got plenty of time. Stop worrying.”

  “Easier said than done.” Annabelle whispered.

  Hank and Bill rushed into the room skidding to a stop at the edge of the bed.

  “It’s time?” Bill asked out of breath.

  The two women nodded.

  “Well let’s get you to the hospital,” Hank said taking his daughter’s arm.

  Annabelle put her hand on Hank’s arm. “Bill and I will get her down the stairs.”

  They carried Alison as they had before while Hank trailed behind carrying Alison’s suitcase.

  They got Alison into the truck and Annabelle turned to them. “I’ll call Sam in town so he can get a message to you both.” She smiled before getting into the truck.

  As soon as they reached the hospital, they took Alison away from Annabelle. No matter how much she begged to be with Alison, the nurse wouldn’t relent. Three hours later, the nurse left her station and Annabelle went in search of Alison. She went down the hallway until she found her room.

  “Oh, Belle,” Alison cried as Annabelle came into the room.

  “They wouldn’t let me see you. I escaped the waiting room,” she said with a smile and they kissed. Annabelle reached for the basin and a towel and wiped Alison’s sweaty face. “Just look at me, Al. Look at me and ignore the pain.” Annabelle began to recite a poem to her when the nurse walked in.

  “I thought I might find you in here,” she said with her hands on her hips.

  “I have to be here with her. She needs me,” Annabelle said begging the nurse.

  “She’s been screaming for you for the last three hours. If you can keep her calm and stay out of the way, I’ll let you stay.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.”

  Annabelle continued to wipe Alison down with cool water and recited poetry. As the contractions hit Alison, Annabelle let her squeeze her hand.

  “Breathe, honey. It will pass. Look at me and ignore the pain.” Annabelle caressed her face.

  The doctor walked in with the nurse to check on his patient. He grinned as he neared the bed. “Usually the fathers are in worse shape than the mothers. You seem to be doing a good job keeping your wife calm.” He nodded to the other bed. “And it seems Mrs. Miller.” The doctor lifted the covers and examined Alison. “It won’t be long now.”

  He left the room and Annabelle kissed Alison’s mouth. “I love you for what you’re doing so we can have children.”

  “Only for you, Belle. Only for you,” she said as the pain took her body again.

  It was hours later when they took Alison away from her.

  “She’ll be in good hands. Go back to the waiting room and we’ll get you when the babies are here,” The doctor said following Alison’s gurney.

  “I love you, Belle.” Alison screamed.

  “I love you too, Alison.” Annabelle walked back to the waiting room.

  When they came out to find Annabelle, she had fallen asleep on the chair. The nurse shook her until she opened her eyes. “Come on, dad. Do you want to see your children?”

  “How’s Alison?”

  “Tired, but fine.” The nurse led her back to Alison’s room.

  When Annabelle walked in, Alison was sleeping. She walked over to the bed and kissed her cheek. Alison opened her eyes.

  “Hi,” she said softly.

  “Hi. How do you feel?” Annabelle asked taking her hand.

  “Wonderful,” she said smiling. “Did they tell you?”

  “Tell me what?”

  “About our babies?” Annabelle shook her head from side to side. “We have a beautiful baby girl and a baby boy.”

  Annabelle smiled. “One of each?”

  Alison nodded and smiled. “Have you seen them yet?”

  “No. I wanted to see you first.”

  “Go see them and call Sam,” Alison said with her hand on Annabelle’s cheek.

  Annabelle ran for the nursery and stood in front of the glass looking at the babies. The babies that were now hers and Alison’s. They were small and wrapped in their tiny blankets. Once she could pull herself away from looking at their beautiful faces, she went to make her phone call.

  When Annabelle returned to the room, Alison looked at her love. “You look exhausted, honey. Why don’t you go home and get some sleep?”

  “Alison, if I try to drive right now, I’ll fall asleep.” Annabelle sat in the chair next to the bed. “I’ll get some rest right here.”

  “What do you think of the babies?” Alison asked taking her hand.

  “They’re beautiful, Al. You did a wonderful job.”

  “I think the boy should be named William Henry Adams.”

  Annabelle smiled. “What about the girl?”

  “Annabelle Bonnie Adams.”

  “Oh, Al.” Annabelle cried against Alison’s chest until exhaustion took her. She sat on the chair and fell asleep.

  “I wish my husband showed that much emotion,” Mrs. Miller in the next bed said. “He patted my hand and said good job.”

  Alison smiled as she closed her eyes and tried to get some sleep. She woke up an hour later as they wheeled the babies into the room for feeding.

  Annabelle awoke up to find William against Alison’s breast. She stood up and went over to the baby in rolling cart. “Can I pick her up, Al?”

  “Of course you can.” Alison told Annabelle how to support the baby’s head and she took baby Annabelle in her arms.

  “Aren’t you beautiful,” Annabelle said looking down into the baby’s face. “You look just like your momma.” The baby squeaked and opened her eyes. Annabelle jaw dropped as she stared at the blue eyes staring back at her. “She has your eyes, Al.”

  “Come over here, Belle.”

  Annabelle moved to where Alison was feeding the baby.

  “Look at his eyes.”

  Annabelle peered down into the eyes looking up at her. “They’re green like mine and he has dark hair like me.” The tears formed in Annabelle’s eyes as she looked at her daughter’s blond hair. “I’m so happy, Al.”

  “I am too, honey. Why don’t you put Annabelle down and I’ll hand you William?”

  Annabelle did as she was told. “Just let me hold your brother for a while,” she said looking down into her daughter’s face.

  Alison handed William to her and he immediately took hold of Annabelle’s finger.

  “Al, he’s holding my finger.” Annabelle kissed his head. “I can’t wait for your Grandpa Hank and Uncle Bill to see you both.”

  “Did you call Sam?”

  Annabelle nodded as she looked at the face of her son. The babies were taken away after the feeding.

  Bill and Hank walked in a few minutes later. They both wore big smiles.

  “Congratulations you two,” Hank said
as he came into the room. He walked over to the bed and kissed Alison’s cheek. Then he turned to Annabelle and hugged her.

  Bill kissed Annabelle and hugged her too.

  “Did you see the babies yet?” Annabelle asked.

  They both shook their heads.

  “Well, let me introduce you to the rest of your family,” Annabelle said leading them out of the room.

  The nurse brought the babies close to the glass. “Gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to, William Henry and Annabelle Bonnie Adams. Babies, meet Grandpa Hank and Uncle Bill.”

  Hank wiped his eyes as did Bill. “They’re beautiful,” Hank said choking up.

  The babies opened their eyes and Bill moved closer recognizing his eyes in baby William’s face. He openly cried now.

  Annabelle put her arm around Bill and whispered in his ear. “Thank you, Bill.”

  They looked at each other and Bill nodded. He reached for handkerchief and blew his nose. “I can’t wait until we can take them home. Hank and I made sure the nursery was ready for them.”

  “We also put bassinets in the Master bedroom while the babies are still small.” Hank added. “Let’s go back and see Alison.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Once the babies came home it seemed like the whole county stopped by to see them. This was the first set of twins that the county had seen and everyone wanted a glimpse.

  December had arrived cold and rainy. Annabelle and Alison were sitting in the living room with the babies when there was a knock on the front door.

  “Hello, Chet. Come on inside,” Annabelle said.

  Chet walked into the house and took his hat off. “Alison,” he said looking around.

  Hank and Bill entered the living room.

  “Did you hear the news?” Chet asked.

  “The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor this morning. We’re going to war.”

  Bill stumbled and sat in the nearest chair.

  “They’ll be calling up everyone that’s fit.” Chet announced looking at Annabelle.

  Alison took Annabelle’s hand and made a silent prayer of thanks that she didn’t have to worry about Annabelle. Looking at Bill she knew he would be drafted soon enough.

  Hank walked Chet back outside and Alison took the seat next to Bill. “You learned to cook, Bill. You make sure they know it.”

  Bill nodded silently.

  Bill was called up shortly after the announcement of war. Annabelle was getting ready to drive him to the train station.

  Bill picked up each of the babies and kissed and hugged them. “You take good care of your mommas while I’m gone. Be good,” he said kissing them again on the top of their heads.

  Alison took Bill in her arms. “You write us, Bill. We will send you pictures every month of the babies. I love you and make sure you come back to us.”

  Bill hugged Alison as if he were afraid to let her go. “I love you too, Al. I’ll come back. Don’t you worry about that?” His words seemed empty because in his heart he didn’t believe it to be true.

  “Bill, you’re going to miss your train.” Annabelle urged trying to get him to leave the house.

  Hank walked into the living room carrying a box. “There’s some writing paper, envelopes and pens so you can write us. There’s also a picture of Belle, Alison, me and the babies. So when you’re lonely, you can see our faces.”

  Bill had tears running down his face as she hugged Hank. “I love you too, Hank.”

  Hank nodded and hugged the man who had become a son to him over the years.

  “Bill, let’s go,” Annabelle said again as she grabbed his arm.

  At the train station, Annabelle and Bill stood awkwardly. Bill wanted to hug Annabelle, but he knew it would be improper. He put out his hand.

  Annabelle looked at the hand and grinned. She grabbed him and pulled him close. “I love you, Bill. Don’t let our children grow up without you. Do you hear me?”

  Bill pulled himself free. “I love you too, Annabelle.” He whispered. “I’ll see you soon.” Bill boarded the train without looking back.

  Hank and Annabelle missed working with Bill every day. The house seemed quieter even with two babies in the house. Winter became spring again and every time they got a letter from Bill it became their evening highlight.

  “Baby William and Annabelle were put down for the night and the three of them would sit in the living room. Alison would read the letter to them.

  Hello, Family. I finished with basic training (barely) and I told them of my cooking prowess. I’m hoping to get a cook’s assignment somewhere safe. I hope you all are doing well and from the pictures you sent, the babies are getting bigger each day. I miss you all and will write again soon.

  “This letter was short this time. I wonder what he’s not telling us.” Alison asked.

  “I’m sure he’s just tired from the basic training,” Annabelle said Alison’s hand. “His first few letters went on for pages and pages.”

  “Did you get his care package out?” Hank asked.

  “I mailed it a week ago,” Alison said. She had packed brownies, cookies, socks and a letter from each of them. Of course, the package included pictures of the babies.

  The babies were now seven months old and looking more and more like their parents. Annabelle was a little Alison with the blond hair and blue eyes. William was a combination of both Belle and Bill. The dark hair and green eyes sparkled when he would laugh. His mannerism reminded Alison of Belle so much that she would whisper in her ear and tell her. Bill’s next letter was two weeks later.

  Thank you, Alison. I am so grateful that you taught me how to cook and you didn’t have to shoot off my toes.

  Alison and Annabelle shared a glance before she continued.

  I can’t tell you where I am, but I’m safe. I’m cooking for the officers and they seem to enjoy the meals I prepare for them. They tell me it reminds them of home which I guess is a good compliment. I got the care package and had to fight off the men in my tent to keep them away from the goodies. Thank you so much for the letters and pictures. I read them often when I find myself getting homesick.

  Alison paused her reading. “I’m so glad that he’s safe,” she said before she continued.

  They say this war is going to go on for a long time, but they are making headway. I feel bad for the men on the front lines when I know I’m safe and will return to my family someday. I’m going to miss the planting in the spring. I love putting those crops in and watching them grow every day, but most of all I miss all of you. I miss our talks and just being a family. I guess I better end this letter before I start bawling like one of the babies. Stay well. Love, Bill.

  Alison wiped her eyes when she put the letter back in the envelope. “Do you think they’ll let him come home on leave soon?”

  “Honey, we don’t know where he is. He might not be close enough to come home for a visit,” Annabelle said wrapping her arm around Alison.

  Alison leaned in to Annabelle’s shoulder and whispered. “I’m glad you broke your leg and you’re safe with us.”

  “I’ll second that,” Hank said.

  Annabelle just weakly smiled.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  “Who are those kids you’re always looking at?” Sam Harold asked Bill.

  Bill looked up. “Family.” He handed the pictures to Sam.

  “Cute kids. The boy looks like you,” Sam said looking at Bill.

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “I’m sure you miss your family, but at least you’re behind enemy lines.” Sam chuckled.

  Bill opened the tin of brownies. “Want one?”

  “Yeah.” Sam leaned over and took a treat out of the tin. “Did your wife make these?”

  “I’m not married,” Bill said. “My sister-in-law.”

  “So whose babies are they?” Sam asked not understanding.

  “My brother and sister-in-law.”

  “Is your brother fighting in the war?”

  “No. He bro
ke his leg badly and he’s 4F.”

  “Lucky dog,” Sam said smirking.

  “Yes. Don’t I know it? Belle’s got a great wife, beautiful children and I’m lying here with you.” Bill chuckled.

  “Hey, it could be worse. You could be lying in a fox hole with the enemy firing at you.”

  “I’m proud of those young men that are fighting for our freedom.” Bill looked at Sam. “I better write them a letter. It’s been a while since I last wrote.” Bill picked up the paper and pen. “I don’t know what to say to them half the time. There’s never anything going on here. We cook, we clean and we sleep.”

  Sam laughed. “I can ask the captain to send you to the front lines so you have something to put in your letters if you like?”

  “Yeah, you do that and I’ll tell him I need you to go along.” Bill answered.

  “Why don’t we go into town this weekend and see if we can find something to write home about?” Sam said jumping around. “I need me a woman.”

  Bill watched his friend blow off steam. He didn’t need a woman, but he needed to get off this base.

  They did get into town the following weekend and went straight to a bar. It wasn’t long before Sam found a woman who caught his eye.

  “I’ll see you back at the base,” Sam said as he walked away.

  Bill stood at the bar drinking alone. As his eyes wandered, he noticed a young soldier watching him. He nodded his head in greeting and went back to his beer.

  “Can I buy you a beer?” The young soldier asked as he stood at Bill’s side.

  “Sure.” Bill answered looking at the man out of the corner of his eye.

  They stayed at the bar for the next two hours drinking and talking. Bill knew the soldier was looking for more than conversation, but his fears of getting caught was stronger than his libido.

  “My name is Stan,” His said softly. “Do you want to take a walk?”

  Bill looked at Stan and nodded without realizing he had agreed. They walked out to the street and walked toward the woods together.

  Bill’s next letter sound happier.

  Hello my family. Still here in the army. Still cooking and being bored most of the time. Sometimes I wish I was at the front so I’d have something to do. I finally got into town and met myself a nice young “Lady.” We’ve enjoy each other’s company and it keeps me from going stir crazy. I guess the crops should be ready to come out of the ground soon. The kids are getting big. Wish I could have been there for their first steps. Alison, you’ll have to have another one when this war ends so I can watch the next time. The word is Hitler’s army is on the run. So maybe I’ll be home before the kids get too big. Nothing else to report. All my love, Bill.